This model is 34 studs wide, 73 long and VERY heavy! It's packed with features for me to bore you with...

So let's get started! Lights front and rear...

A 17 year old me very happy with his new toy. A 6'3" beanpole can fold himself up into one of these... Notice the lack of exterior mirrors - it's why the model doesn't have them. The roads weren't any less dangerous in 1987...

A Technic featurefest, this car has a pretty sophisticated engine (more of which later), independent suspension all round, working steering, a forward/reverse transmission, working pneumatic brakes, a fully functioning handbrake, electric lights and a starter motor for the engine, adjustable and tilting front seats, locking doors and bootlid and loadsadetails...

Let's see what's under the bonnet...

Regular visitors might remember the engine - it's 1:6 scale, like the car, and features all the moving parts of the real one. There's a crankshaft in five main bearings, chain driven camshaft, pushrods, rockers and valves: even a distributor drive off the camshaft.

Here it is in action...

Some artsy (!) photography...

Let's go inside!

The brake 'pedal' is the pneumatic switch for the pumps in the rear trailing arms. They push levers into the friction material which is an old space balloon tyre - kind of like an inverted drum brake. Just visible is the 'ignition key' that activates the starter motor.

The seats adjust in the same way as the real car, with a spring-loaded lever locking into place.

The rear seat just kind of sits there...

A dashboard. The switch for the lights is on the centre console, connected to a PF switch behind the dashboard. The 'eyeball' vents are poseable, as are the sliding heater controls and the indicator and wiper stalks.

Sunvisors - I went there!

In the boot, a fuel tank, battery, and enough space left for a telescopic toothbrush...

A very technicky underside! Those grey beams and large springs are for the handbrake mechanism and there's some other stuff too...

Front wheel drive with steering and independent suspension in a confined space gave me a challenge, especially as I didn't use those wishbone pieces... It had to be strong as well.

These two are the best of enemies... In 1966, Minis finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Monte Carlo rally, only to be disqualified by the French authorities for a supposed 'lighting infringement' which also affected the Lotus Cortina that came fourth. Victory was handed to the Citroen DS that finished fifth.

Two years later, a DS was leading on the last leg of the London to Sydney Marathon by a comfortable margin when it was forced off the road by some locals driving a Mini! The result was that the greatest rally the world has ever seen was won by a Hillman Hunter (!)

Time to see if this handbrake'll work...

I've gotta say, I'm slightly surprised...

I loved my first car :-) I've since owned two other classic Minis, and honestly, it is not possible to drive one without a smile on your face. All the same, I wouldn't recommend one for a long motorway journey...

"...it is not possible to drive one without a smile on your face." And it's not possible to look at this smart and genius build in annother way, Nick! Also a car of my past, british racing green, departed by accident as s.o. rushed in...
So good to remember "him" stopping in here! :)

Quoting Joost Cumps
Hi, that latest comment has brought that marvellous mini back to my attention. Only budget reasons kept me for buying a slalom-mini tis year -) The outside : pure perfection! I love that you always maximise the technics beneath, and oh my, the real life one doesn't have much more (maybe front brakes :-)) I know I'm really nitpicking here, bit have you tried to put the disks for the dashbordclocks the other way around? As an idea for scoring another 130 plus likes maybe you can make a version 'Monte Carlo'., Again thanks for sharing this masterpiece!

Thanks for dropping by Joost :-) I think I tried those dishes both ways when building this and settled on studs-up, although there's not much in it appearance-wise.

Hi, that latest comment has brought that marvellous mini back to my attention. Only budget reasons kept me for buying a slalom-mini tis year -) The outside : pure perfection! I love that you always maximise the technics beneath, and oh my, the real life one doesn't have much more (maybe front brakes :-)) I know I'm really nitpicking here, bit have you tried to put the disks for the dashbordclocks the other way around? As an idea for scoring another 130 plus likes maybe you can make a version 'Monte Carlo'., Again thanks for sharing this masterpiece!

Quoting Joe Darlow
This is a truly amazing piece of design. Would you be willing to share a parts list and some sort of instruction? I have a 1992 Cooper and would love to have at least one mini that I don't have to worry about the rust on.

First, congrats on your excellent choice of car :-). However, I never produce instructions for my models as they are designed in my head, then built without going near a computer so parts lists and instructions don't exist. Still, thanks for dropping by and I'm glad you liked it.

This is a truly amazing piece of design. Would you be willing to share a parts list and some sort of instruction? I have a 1992 Cooper and would love to have at least one mini that I don't have to worry about the rust on.

Wow, nice Mini model!
I drive a Mini Cooper every day on Need For Madness, a computer game. All I can say is that it's impossible to drive the Nimi, even against 7 pro wasters, with a smile on your face. I may not win many races in it, it may not be fast, but beating the others in their fancy-schmancy Radical One, Mighty Eights, and DR Monstaas sure is cool. And I don't care what people on that game think of it. It's a grand car, with more history behind it than nearly any other.
~Jacob Hampton

Saw it yesterday and was speechless and fainted! Now that I recovered: I took my driving license driving a Mini but had no clue about the engine and all other technicalities. Thanks to you I'm now much more knowledgeable ! Impressive build, as usual.

This actually looks to be far better quality than any actual Mini that I remember - it might actually keep its shape if turned on its top !
joking aside - this looks brilliant. Love the attention to detail in the styling alone, especially the bonnet and front face of the car, to have fit all the Technic functions underneath is very impressive. Must mention the rear brakes - look much better than my attempt !

Oh yes, this masterpiece is still on my to do list... Sorry, but our "9 months family project" is nearly complete and keeping me busy ;-) This Mini is a dream of a model. The Technic functions are awesome as always, but it's the little details that are make me freak out ;-) Take the welding flanges, for example. A real masterpiece, Nick! Great job! :-))

Sorry for the lateness of my comment (darn, can't go anywhere in time), I will say what I wanted to say now. Bigness, detailness, AWESOMENESS!! Serious, this car is too awesome too put in words. And it seems to be big! The well remembered spare wheel on your 2CV Charleston is the steering wheel? And the engine... Plot: Best and most functional LEGO® car ever, and it's amazing. If it was possible 15/5, but it can't. So a well deserved 96th 5/5 :)

Unbelievably accurate! I love this one. Those wheels also make it as authentic as can be. Beautiful to the very last detail. I've noticed that even dashboard is pretty accurate compared to the real thing. The only thing here that really bugs me is the steering wheel. Couldn't you possibly put something smaller? You could've just made it of hoses and connecting parts. Nevertheless if there was 10 as a grade here you'd get 10! ;))

Mmm this one caught my eye.. Great work on the shape, the grill looks just right - as does the rest of the car :-) I like all the functions and details too, those turn signals on the front is a very nice touch.

This really is one of the best models i've seen in a very long time, lego or otherwise, I had difficulty working out the scale I was seeing because it was so realistic, it really looks asif I could climb in and drive it, stunning.
Oh and it has sun visors:)

I like it

kenneth rattledge

March 10, 2013

fantastic, great car, full of well executed details.

Emerald Knight

March 5, 2013

A true SuperCar, the seams, the doors, the framing, and all, so good ! The A series power unit with its twin SUs is in its self a lego marvel. A great model in every detail !>.....very well done

I love how you've captured the curves of this classic car with angular lego bricks, plus that seam that goes down the side of the windscreen and doors. The Lego motor in the boot reminds me of the extra-large fule tank in out second Mini, which filled the boot in a similar way.

This is absolutely magnificent. My first car was a 1974 British leyland mini 1000 and I must say your lego one looks better built than my real one. Those drum brakes were terrible, the rubbers went all the time. I cannot believe how many working features you manage to cram in on each of your builds. This has to be my favourite of yours.

Quoting Tris B
I drove a friends' elderly (even then) Mini to London once, parked up near the national gallery and went a visiting. Glancing by chance from the flat window I noticed the metropoliton bomb squad, taking more than a passing interest in said vehicle. I had to rush down and spend a good few minutes protesting terrorism innocence to prevent them blowing it up. It isn't an overly relevant yarn to this fantastic and extremely detailed model but I reckon most people do have a Mini saga to tell.

Too true! Most of mine involve brakes, or a lack thereof... thanks for sharing.

Nick, you've outdone yourself!! This is an outstanding creation. You succeeded so well to replicate the subtle curves of this little queen. I do not know what amazed me most: suspension and breaking system? Movable seats ou gears? I think your engine knocked me down: I watched the little movie ten times yet. Absolutly brilliant. This Mini is geniously made.

I drove a friends' elderly (even then) Mini to London once, parked up near the national gallery and went a visiting. Glancing by chance from the flat window I noticed the metropoliton bomb squad, taking more than a passing interest in said vehicle. I had to rush down and spend a good few minutes protesting terrorism innocence to prevent them blowing it up. It isn't an overly relevant yarn to this fantastic and extremely detailed model but I reckon most people do have a Mini saga to tell.

Splendid stuff, Nick! This Mini is mega! The lights are very nice, the bodywork is spot on and excellent, and there are so many cool details on the inside! That engine, too. It's like it should be a MOC in it's own right. =] And so many linkages and doodads on the chassis I can't even figure them all out. And brakes! Parking AND pneumatic! Properly spiffy. Worthy of a 5 star rating, at least. Should get more like 20. Million. Thousand. And a half.

Wow Nick, this is such a wonderful piece of work, Im so amazed by your talent and style
with the bricks. Love all the great details you put in this creation and the brilliant sculpting
makes it a work of art. So beautiful.

Awesome job Nick! The body looks absolutely amazing, and then the amount of technical functions complements the body perfectly! Even though I have to admit it would be nice to see a video showing all of the functions, I hope that you have one planned. --John

Excellent! The size is impressive, but the implemented details and functions fills it up beautifully. But what I most like is the accuracy of the shape and design. Probably your most impressive job so far. I particulary like the hubcaps/rims. I think I can do these too, so now I just need to think of what to do with the rest of the car... (=you´ve inspired me)

Quoting Yaser Ali
Wow, absolutely amazing! You got the shape, the angles, the curvature perfect. I just ordered the Lego Technic supercar (8070). I'm 31 and married...first set I've bought since I was 18!! Had the Test car for my 9th Bday

Thanks Yaser, and enjoy your 8070 :-) Welcome to the world of the AFOL. Have fun!

Wow, absolutely amazing! You got the shape, the angles, the curvature perfect. I just ordered the Lego Technic supercar (8070). I'm 31 and married...first set I've bought since I was 18!! Had the Test car for my 9th Bday

Quoting Joost Cumps
Nick, never in my dreams I was expecting this kind of result when you posted the engine pics... Now you really have outdone yourself, incredible! I admire the looks, the work you commited on the right angle in the hood, the welding-lines (or how does one call those extended raingutters?), the use of a quarter round piece on the doors, it is simply, and utterly amazing! Can anyone talk you into an amazing pile of lime, a bit of black, and recreate the one from Mr. Bean? :-)

Thanks Joost - That would take an amazing pile of lime! Those 'welding lines' are in fact external body seams; done to save internal space.

Outstanding work Nick. You never cease to amaze me with the alchemy you create making curvaceous bodywork from entirely flat plates, but this time it's done to perfection. Little details like the tapered sills, bootlid corners and exposed seams on the rear quarters really make this an exemplary piece of work. The engine and other technical details are excellent as we've come to expect from you also. A really splendid piece of work. Congratulations.

Nick, never in my dreams I was expecting this kind of result when you posted the engine pics... Now you really have outdone yourself, incredible! I admire the looks, the work you commited on the right angle in the hood, the welding-lines (or how does one call those extended raingutters?), the use of a quarter round piece on the doors, it is simply, and utterly amazing! Can anyone talk you into an amazing pile of lime, a bit of black, and recreate the one from Mr. Bean? :-)

the car looks fab, but, you get my undying respect for pushing these further then I ve ever seen technicaly, it s amazing! pneumatics? functionning brakes and hand brake...it blows my mind! nick...you re the man!

Masterful. Form and function. Interesting cultural differences between our two countries. Here, someone like you might have been routed to basketball. You found your way to the culinary world. I wonder how many NBA players might have been great chefs instead?

Quoting Nate Andrews
And nobody has pointed out your clever hubcap (wheel trim?) design yet. Buy they're probably just distracted with your usual AMAZING technical work with the rest of the car. I knew right away who built this when I saw it on the homepage!

Thanks Nate - although I should point out that Senator Chinchilla used something very similar on his Datsun 240Z.

And nobody has pointed out your clever hubcap (wheel trim?) design yet. Buy they're probably just distracted with your usual AMAZING technical work with the rest of the car. I knew right away who built this when I saw it on the homepage!

Wow! an epic moc! i thought it would take you much longer to get the car with the engine! 1:6 scale! you make me jealous. show a video with all the car functions, doors, handbrakes, etc congrats on completing the biggest lego mini i (and many others) have ever seen! have you considered putting this in the lugnuts challenge?

Seriously, you have just blown me away! This has to be on e of the best cars on MOCpages ever, if not one of the best builds period. Instantly, I can see amazing shaping all over this thing. From the mudguards, to the bonnet and the grill. And then you look into the mechanics, amazing. I'm in love with this one.

Quoting Sebeus I
I love this car, nice job on the engine and handbrake, on top of the great looks I'd say it's perfect.
I haven't completely figured out how the handbrake works, you use the pneumatic cilinders to brake and the springs to return them ?

Thanks Sebeus. The pneumatics are for the footbrake. The springs return the handbrake, which is held by a ratchet mechanism on the handle. This is released when you push the button on the end - it works exactly like the handbrake in your car.

I love this car, nice job on the engine and handbrake, on top of the great looks I'd say it's perfect.
I haven't completely figured out how the handbrake works, you use the pneumatic cilinders to brake and the springs to return them ?

Quoting DeTomaso Pantera
What a "little" Beauty! I love this Nick, so accurate on so many levels. A truly wonderful creation and one of my favourites of your builds so far. On another note, I am considering selling my "as new" Unimog for a good price if you are interested? I don't think I'll ever get round to building it, or using the pieces. Let me know if interested. Cheers Nick and very well done with this it's stunning! Maybe you could modify it now and make it a Monte Carlo Cooper ;-)

What a "little" Beauty! I love this Nick, so accurate on so many levels. A truly wonderful creation and one of my favourites of your builds so far. On another note, I am considering selling my "as new" Unimog for a good price if you are interested? I don't think I'll ever get round to building it, or using the pieces. Let me know if interested. Cheers Nick and very well done with this it's stunning! Maybe you could modify it now and make it a Monte Carlo Cooper ;-)

It's finished! I'm so glad I happened to be on MOCpages when you uploaded this : ) Probably the best car we've ever seen (surpassing your own MGB). Before I even get on to the technical brilliance of the engines, suspension, handbrake etc etc I've got to mention the bodywork; the bonnet and boot lid especially are absolute art, seriously tricky and subtle curves replicated beautifully in plates. And the seams on the doors, oh my gosh! As always, the technical engineering is second-to-none too. And here endeth the longest comment ever, with a 10/10. As if it could be anything else : )